by Karina Guzzi
Daily Lobo
A bill would make transferring credits easier for New Mexico students if the House approves it and the governor signs it.
The bill calls for a common course name and numbering system for lower division courses in public institutions of higher education in New Mexico. It also requires acceptance of transfer modules, which are core classes required for a specific degree.
Rick Scott, one of the bill's analysts, said a common numbering system would eliminate confusion for transferring students.
"English 101 would have the same number at each institution if it was essentially the same course and it transferred from one to the other," Scott said. "The idea is that it makes it easier for students because they don't have to figure out that English 101 at my community college is called English 103 at Highlands University."
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Scott said the bill is trying to promote a general education core that would be accepted at all public institutions.
"The whole intent is to protect students," he said.
UNM student Raquela Chiado said the measure is a good idea.
"If you take a class, it should count," she said.
Scott said the proposal tries to protect transfer students from being required to take more classes than they have to.
It also tries to set up a complaint procedure for students if they took the right courses in one institution, but the courses are not accepted at another.
"If the Commission of Higher Education upholds the complaint, then the receiving institution will have to reimburse them for the tuition fees and books for the common courses that weren't accepted," Scott said.
Scott said the changes should not affect tuition.
"It's not expected that it would cause enough complaints that institutions would have to raise tuition and fees to make up for the difference," Scott said.
Institutions will decide on the common numbering, the general education core and core classes.
Amy Wohlert, associate provost, said the institutions will meet to decide on the changes.
"We will have ongoing meetings among groups of faculty of higher education to discuss the courses and the outcome we want to have," Wohlert said.
Wohlert said the bill is designed to help students.
"Students will have a better idea of what to expect," Wohlert said.
Robin Ryan, associate director of admissions, said her department has been working on the issue for years to make it easier for students.
She said the bill should not have a big impact in the admissions office, because most transfer students come from TVI, which already has similar course numbers.
It doesn't affect students coming from other states and countries.
According to the bill, by spring 2006, institutions should have the general education core and common course numbers in place as well as the modules for business and early childhood education majors. After that, six new modules should be effective by fall 2008.
The bill passed 38-0 in the Senate and was heard by the House Education Committee on Monday. It still needs to be heard by the House Appropriations & Finance Committee.
Sen. Cynthia Nava, sponsor of the bill, was not available for comment.
